Cowl



Aug: 1950 E. SOKOLIK 2,517,252

com.

Filed Aug. 15, 1946 Patented Aug. 1, 195E) UNITED STATES E ATENT OFFICE it COWL Edward Sokclik, NewBrighton, Minn. Application August 15, 1946,.Scrial NcHSiiflfl iZ (Cl. 98 2s).

I 4 Claims.

This invention relates to cowls and particularly to a cowl without any moving parts, which has easily demountable parts, which has a type of cross-sectional construction that may be adapted to any shape, and which provides a finished terminus for any chimney or stack.

Cowls have been variously devised, to induce draft for exhausting smoke and providing ventilation. Some have a revolvingmember adjusting itself, so that its opening is on the leeward side. Others have a member, that twirls, and is shaped to direct air currents upward. Others, that have no moving parts, have either quite in volved and expensive construction; or difiiculty is experienced in maintaining draft on certain days, due to conflict of air currents, sometimes causing down draft. To provide power driven exhaust devices, is quite expensive. Constructions in general are difiicult to mount; are in the form of an adjunct, which does not provide a finished appearance as part of the chimney; and do not have a typical vertical cross-sectional construction, that is applicable to any chimney shape. There is need for an efiectual, though economically produced cowl, without any moving parts; which, by 'the joining of its parts, is readily demountable for inspection of flue, which has a construction, that will lend itself to any shape of horizontal chimney crosssection,

whether curved .or straight; and that will provide an ornamentalchimney top.

An importantobject of my invention is to provide a cowl of such parts, that it is readily mounted on a chimney with the parts secured to each other and to the chimney, and-that such parts which must be removed for inspection and cleaning are easily removed.

Another important object is to provide a cow] with such a type of vertical cross-sectional con struction; that latitude is afforded to fit anyhori zontal chimney cross section, whether curved, straight sided. or a combination of both.

Another object is to provide a cowl, that may be mounted on a steel stack as well as a chimney, by providing ports near the top of the stack and same SBl'Vil'lg asa part of the cowl.

Another object is to provide a cowl, that will give an ornamental and finished appearance to a chimney or stack, and not appear as an adjunct thereto.

Another object is to provide a cowl, that is economical to manufacture and is durable, requiring practically no maintenance or attention.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

Fora fulldisclosure of my invention, reference is made to the description following and to. the drawings,.in which- N Fig. 1 15-13; side elevation. view of my-cowl, applied to a brick chimney with a part. sectional view showing a port. i

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of same with a part section of thedefiectorin place. 7

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagonal sectionalview of the casing and part of the flue taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. i 1

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the-flue show ing a port.

Fig. 6 isan end elevation ing a port.

Fig. 7 is a plan viewof-the cap as indicatedby the line 1-1 of Fig.2.

Fig. 8 is a transverse (sectional view of the flue taken onthe line 8-8.of Fig.2.

i Fig. 9 is an elevation view of the concave side of one of the twodefiector plates. Fig. l0is a top view of same. 3

In the selected embodiment. of my invention, whichtis hereby disclosed, the numeral 12 rep.- resents the-cowl in its entirety. It is preferably made of sheet metal, ibutis not so limited, as it might be made of. an asbestos composition board or other. similar material. A flue i3 is provided in accordance "with the shape of the chimney. This can be polygonal or curvedor a combination of both. In asteel stack, the stack itself provides the hue and through which ports may be provided. As shown. in the drawings, the due is of rectangular cross-section and ports Mare pro videdin each of the foursides. These ports are provided to register with the inner ends of .fune nels 15., provided in the casing. serrations I16 are provided on the bottom end .1! of. the These serrations extent outwardly at right angles, and provide support for the flue 43 on the top of the ceramic flue I8. The .pointsof the serrations are easily clipped .ofi to fit inside of the chimney wall 155. :If necessary, a layer of packingis placed on the serrations 46 to seal same, fortplacing cementing material between the chimney wall i 19 and the flue l 3.

A demountable casing 29 closely fits over and encompasses the fine 13. By means of vertical division plates 2!, the casing is divided, forming the air passages 15. These plates, in the form shown on the drawing,,are preferably provided at the mid-point -on each side and also extend-. ing diagonally inward from each corner. This view of the fiueshowprovides for interception of air currents impinging on the casing from any angle and inducing an increased draft, as will be subsequently explained. The casing 20 has a base portion 22, which provides a flat support for the casing on the structure of a flue, chimney or stack, and the top portion of this base provides a bottom lining for each of said air passages l5. This base may be formed in sections, with inturned flanges 23 and riveted, as indicated at 24, to division plates 2|, or in other ways attaining an equivalent result. In similar manner, a top portion 25 of the casing 20 is formed. This is provided with a vertical flange 26 at the top thereof, in which holes are provided in registry with holes provided in the flue It, for bolting together of the casing and flue. This also provides for a further attachment of a cap, as will be subsequently explained. Inturned flanges 21, similar to flanges 23, are provided and riveted. as indicated at 24, to division plates 24. It will be noted that the top portion 25 is shaped to provide a top lining for each of the air passages l5, and this lining is so arranged that a depending angle of same is in registry vertically with the lower edge of the ports M. This forms a shield against direct horizontal flow of air into said ports, and which would have a turbulent effect on the draft. The construction provides for a maximum external opening of air passages to intercept all the air possible, and to deflect and converge same into the ports M, passing through the ports in such an upward inclined angle that a suction is produced in the flue, resulting in a much accelerated draft upward. The roof 2B of the casing is preferably provided with a slight pitch. Beaded edges 29 are preferably provided on all outwardly projecting edges for stiffness and better appearance. It will be particularly noted, that the same cross-sectional construction through the side of the casing is applicable, whether the flue is square, round, rectangular, elliptical or any polygonal shape. The sections for the top and bottom of the air passages work naturally with the division plates to attain the desired shape. A division plate is employed at each corner or contour changing point, and such intermediate plates as are required for interception of air currents.

A cap 30, which is preferably of a shape to correspond to that of the roof 28 of the casing, is mounted on an open frame support 3! by bolts 32. The open frame support permits air currents to enter from any direction, and expedite emission of draft, originating in the flue and accelerated by air currents through the passages l5. Bolting, as indicated at 33, and as previously referred to, provides for a joining together of the cap 30, casing 253 and flue It. It is apparent that the cap and casing are readily demountable from the flue. This facilitates greatly in cleaning and inspection of fines, as well as mounting of cowl in the first instance. It is of course only necessary to remove the cap to gain access to the flue. The assembly is supported by the base portion 22 on top of the chimney and by the cementing of the flue l3 into the chimney, after adjusting fit of the flue l3 into the chimney by clipping tips of the outwardly extending serrations I6. Whether the assembly is applied to an existing chimney or built into it during construction, the same result of a good appearing, well proportioned, finished chimney top is attained. It becomes a part of the chimney construction and does not have the appearance of an adjunct thereto. Any unitary cowl is difficult to place and does not permit of such good fitting to the flue and top of the chimney. It is apparent that an assembly of proper shape and size may be fitted into and supported on a steel stack, with a neat appearance, and will func tion efficiently by providing ports like ports M of proper height and elevation.

To make certain that cross currents will not prevail through the ports l4, although same are shielded by depending angles of portion 25, I

provide a deflector 34. This comprises two curved sheet metal plates 35, each of which have a pair of slits 36 in the mid-section thereof, permitting a portion of the plate to be formed into a loop 31 on the inner side thereof. A piece of spring metal 38, formed to the contour of the plates 35, is provided on the inner side thereof, and extending through said loop 31 of each of the plates. The pieces 38 are substantially coextensive with said plates. A bolt 39, provided with a nut, extends through the loops of the two plates and through the pieces 38 holding same together securely. It will be apparent that the yieldable elements of such a deflector, permit its insertion into a flue at the desired elevation, and that it may readily be removed for cleaning and inspection of the flue. It is also apparent that this form of deflector, with change of size, will fit any shape of flue whether square, round, rectangular, elliptical or any regular polygon. As shown on the drawing, each port is segregated from the others, so there is no conflict of cross currents. The outside air, entering the ports after being accelerated through the air passages l5 and directed upward thereby, greatly boosts the draft in the chimney.

From the foregoing, the functioning of the cowl should be apparent. Air currents from any angle are intercepted by the vertical division plates, which are directed upwardly by the inclined portion of air passages, producing an up Ward suction and an accelerated draft in the At the same time, any conflict of air currents is prevented by the deflector in the flue and the depending angle portion of the air passages. Further, the cap provides for drafting out horizontally and fends off any action to cause a down draft. The advantages of demountability and the versatility of the structure, in applying it to different shapes, have been previously stated.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it is obvious that many changes, which are within the scope of my inven tion, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. I therefore desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A cowl comprising a tubular member, a demountable casing fitting over and encompassing said tubular member, a demountable cap engaging top of both said tubular member and said casing; said tubular member being adapted to fit within the upper portion of a flue, having means for adjustment to closely fit said flue and having a plurality of ports to allow flow of air into said tubular member above said flue;

said demountable casing consisting of a plurality of vertical division plates extending irwardly at intervals in accordance with shape of said cowl, a base portion forming a support for the casing, said base consisting of members extending between and secured to the lower edges of the plates, said members having inwardly in clined upper walls extending upwardly toithe lower edges of the ports in the tubular member,

said members of base and top portion providing enlarged openings at outer side of said casing substantially equal to the height of said casing, said openings being so constructed thata depending angle of said top portion is in registry Ver tically with the lower edge oisaid: ports, thereby forming a shield against directwhorizontalyflow ,of -airdntolsaid ports, said vertical division .plates being arranged within saidacasing together with an insertable deflector means in said tubular member, comprising a pair oi spring loadedplates secured to each other medially with endseurved outwardly ,and positioned in registry With said ports, for intercepting air currents iromxanyrangle and inducing anaccelerated draft upward in said flue by entry of air through said ports as directed upwardly by said openings; said cap from its apex extending downwardly and outwardly to overhang saiditubular member and havingsupports to maintain'lsame in spacedurelation to said tubular member, and fastening means for demountably securing same and said casing to said tubular member.

2. A sheet metal cowl comprising a demountable casing constructed to closely fit over the top portion of a steel stack, a demountable cap dimensioned to fit over said casing, said casing having a flanged portion extending upwardly intermediate said stack and said cap and holes in registry through said casing, cap and stack with a plurality of fasteners securing said casing and cap to said stack, said stack being provided with a plurality of ports; said demountable casing consisting of a plurality of vertical division plates positioned radially at intervals, 9, base portion consisting of members extending between and secured to the lower edges of the plates, said members having inwardly inclined upper walls extending upwardly to the lower edge of the ports in the stack, a top portion consisting of members extending horizontally and secured to the top portions of said plates, said members having inwardly inclined lower walls, extending upwardly to the upper edges of the ports in the stack, but having also outwardly inclined lower walls extending upwardly to the top of the casing, providing openings at outer side of casing substantially equal to the height of the casing and forming a depending angle in registry vertically with the lower edge of said ports, thereby forming a shield against conflicting direct horizontal flow of air into said ports, said vertical division plates being arranged within said casing together with an insertable deflector formed of a joined pair of spring loaded outwardly arched plates in said stack, for intercepting an impinging airflow from any angle and by said inwardly inclined walls of casing directed upwardly to create a suction in said stack; said cap having supports to maintain same in spaced relation to top of said stack, providing openings for transverse air currents and having a downward sloping overhang of perimeter of said stack, whereby down draft air currents are deflected and elements of weather are kept out.

3. A cowl comprising a tubular member, an insertable deflector in said tubular member, a demountable casing closely fitting over the top portion of said tubular member; a demountable cap fittingover said tubular member and a restricted portion of said casing; said tubular member be ing adapted to lit within the upper portion or a flue and having outwardly extending serrations around its bottom perimeter adapted for trimming toclosely fit saidlflue and reston the upper ed-goof the lining-thereof, a plurality of "ports to allow flow of air into said tubular member are determined height above said flue; said insertable deflectorbeing formed of apair of outwardly arched plates medially joined and tensed by conforming spring members, said plates providing a barrier of air flow between respective ports by in" sertionof deflector in line with said ports; said demountablecasingconsisting of a plurality of vertical division plates extending inwardly at intervals in accordancewith shape of said cowl, a "base portion forming a support for the casing, said base consisting of members extending between and secured to the lower edges of the plates, said members having inwardly inclined upper walls extending upwardly to the lower edges of the ports in the tubular member, atop portion consisting of members extending horizontally and'secured to the top portions of said plates, said members having inwardly inclined lower walls extending upwardly to the upper edges of the ports in the tubular member, said members of base and top portion providing air passages of increased height at outer side of casing substantially equal to the height of said casing, said passages being so constructed that a depending angle of said top portion is in registry vertically with the lower edge of said ports, thereby forming a shield against direct horizontal flow of air into said ports, the arrangement of said division plates together with said deflector in said tubular member intercepting air currents from any angle, which at the same time are deflected upwardly by said air passages creating a suction in said stack, said demountable casing having a cross-sectional construction through a side thereof and an arrangement of vertical division plates whereby it is adaptable to round and straight sided shapes and combinations of same; said demountable cap sloping downwardly from its apex and having supports to maintain same in spaced relation to said tubular member providing openings for transverse air currents, and having fastening means for demountably securing same to said tubular member.

4. A cowl comprising a tubular member, an insertable deflector in said tubular member, a demountable casing closely fitting over the top portion of said tubular member, a demountable cap engaging top of both said tubular member and said casing; said tubular member being adapted to fit within the upper portion of a flue, having means for adjustment to closely fit said flue and having a plurality of ports to allow flow of air into said tubular member above said flue; said insertable deflector being formed of a pair of outwardly arched plates medially joined and tensed by conforming spring members, said plates providing a barrier of air flow between respective ports by insertion of deflector in line with said ports; said demountable casing consisting of a plurality of vertical division plates extending inwardly at intervals in accordance with shape of said cowl, a base portion forming a support for the casing, said base consisting of members extending between and secured to the lower edges of the plates, said members having inwardly inclined upper walls extending upwardly to the lower edges of the ports in the tubular member, a top portion consisting of members extending horizontally and secured to the top portions of said plates, said members having in- .wardly inclined lower Walls extending upwardly to the upper edges of the ports in the tubular member, said members of base and top portion providing enlarged openings at outer side of said casing substantially equal to the height of said casing, said openings being so constructed that a depending angle of said top portion is in registry vertically with the lower edge of said ports, thereby forming a shield against direct horizontal flow of air into said ports, said vertical division plates and said deflector intercepting air currents from any angle, said deflector and said depending angle of openings at the same time preventing conflict of any air currents and which aredirected upwardly by inclined walls of openings, thereby producing an upward suction and an accelerated draft in the flue; said cap from its apex extending downwardly and outwardly to overhang said tubular member and having supports to maintain same in spaced relation to said tubular member, and fastening means for demountably securing same and said casing to said tubular member, whereby due to such assembly of parts the mounting and fitting of said cowl to a chimney is greatly facilitated, and also said cap may be readily demounted permitting removal of said deflector for inspection and cleaning of the chimney flue.

EDWARD SOKOLIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 64,128 Miller Apr. 23, 1867 196,504 Vaile Oct. 23, 1877 319,750 Sexton June 9, 1885 607,264 McCreery July 12, 1898 805,344 Collins Nov. 21, 1905 991,941 Boettcher May 9, 1911 1,091,883 Ferguson Mar. 31, 1914 1,346,633 Cloud July 13, 1920 1,545,618 Sundahl July 14, 1925 2,340,410 Chancellor Feb. 1, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 28,267 Great Britain 1902 85,328 Switzerland July 16, 1920 

